In this episode of the Launch Sequence podcast, host Space Tomato and guest Lord Shadradamus discuss the arrival of the Gatac Railen, Star Citizen’s first large industrial alien ship, and the growing significance of alien species like the Xian in both the game and its single-player campaign, Squadron 42. They highlight how Alien Week continues to introduce new alien content, the development challenges of ships like the Merchantman, and the expanding role of aliens in the Star Citizen universe.
In this episode of the Launch Sequence podcast, host Space Tomato discusses the arrival of the Gatac Railen, the first large industrial alien spaceship in Star Citizen, with guest Lord Shadradamus, also known as the Astro Historian. The conversation centers on the significance of this new ship and the broader role of aliens in the game, especially in relation to the ongoing Alien Week events. The Astro Historian is introduced as a Star Citizen specialist and lore expert, particularly knowledgeable about the game’s alien factions and history.
The discussion highlights that Alien Week has consistently brought new alien-related content to Star Citizen over the past few years, including ships like the Railen in 2021 and the Prowler utility ship the previous year. However, fans are still eagerly awaiting the release of the Merchantman, a highly anticipated Banu ship. The Astro Historian explains that the development of the Merchantman depends on building out the Banu ship toolkit, which is currently in progress, much like how other manufacturers’ frameworks have been developed.
A key point made is that the Railen’s development is likely tied to the creation of a larger Xian ship featured in Squadron 42, the single-player campaign linked to Star Citizen. The Railen benefits from existing assets and design elements already created for Squadron 42, which explains its advanced interior and exterior features. This connection suggests that the Xian, an alien race, will play a significant role not only in Squadron 42 but potentially in the broader Star Citizen universe.
The conversation also touches on the prominence of the Xian in Squadron 42, noting their frequent references in trailers and in-game dialogue, including the appearance of a derelict Xian capital ship. This emphasis indicates that the Xian will be integral to the storyline of Squadron 42, and by extension, may become more prominent within the live game environment. The guest speculates that players will encounter the Xian more frequently in Star Citizen as development progresses.
Finally, the discussion contrasts the current minimal presence of aliens in the game, such as the Vanduul and the character Wickolo, with the anticipated expansion of alien content. The Astro Historian also addresses misconceptions about Squadron 42’s gameplay style, defending its depth and narrative complexity. Overall, the episode provides insight into the evolving role of alien species and ships in Star Citizen, highlighting upcoming developments and the anticipation surrounding Alien Week reveals.